JEL attended a 1st Bday

We attended JB's (John Benedict) 1st bday party last Sunday (Kuya Ricky's Son). JEL was not feeling well due to colds. Good to know that she's not afraid of clowns but still sad because she's not in a good mood. She got scared and cried because of the party poppers and the loud counting of the kids. We're just thankful that she's easy to comfort.

Btw, she got this cute lootbag with puzzle and chocolate goodies inside.

Thanks po!

Cypress Family Health Day'09

We attended this event with my Mom and Ethan. We availed of the free check-ups. Hubby also availed of the free PT. We enjoyed the games, magic show, circus show and Jollibee Mascot appearance. More pix of the event here.

Btw, JEL also enjoyed dancing to Nobody during one of the games. See for yourself here.

Been MIA & Some Updates: JEL's Hospitalization, Party Preps and New Antics

Had been MIA in this blog for a long time. We got so busy since JEL was admitted in Chinese General Hospital for 5 days due to severe cold, cough and asthma. Anyway, below are some updates about JEL's condition, 1st Birthday Party Preps and New Antics.

JEL's 5-Day Hospitalization

As I mentioned on my last post, hubby just brought her to the hospital to have her checked but the pedia didn't allowed them to go home. Since I was left in the office and I wanted to see our baby, hubby fetched me back from home. He also needs to bring clothes and other needs in the hospital. I was so sad seeing the IV on my baby's hand. She woke up at around 1am upon hearing the nebulizer and was so happy seeing me.

I can't explain the feeling but I was happy to be by her side while she is having the nebulizer thing. I needed to be back to the office the next day. Just sleep for a while in the hospital and was back home again at 4:45am. Hubby drove back to the hospital.

On her 2nd day, got a good news from her pedia that she might be able to go home on Saturday. We're so happy that time. Hubby fetched me again from home after work. The guards are strict and they didn't let hubby entered the room because our yaya is already inside. Only 2 bantay is allowed. He slept in the car.

3rd Day

It was JEL's 9th Month Day. We pumped some balloons to entertain the celebrant. However, hubby needed to go back to office to get the Philhealth papers for us to be able to go home the next day which is a Saturday. He also picked up JEL's birthday cake. It was good that the cake is nice and tasted good. It eased the tiredness of hubby. The only sad news is her pedia told us the JEL's condition is worse compared the day after and told us that she can't go home yet. She will still check if we can be discharged the next day but worst case it will be on Monday.

We also transferred from semi-private to a private room. Hubby finds our room hot and noisy. The other patient whom we share room is already 5 y.o. and keeps on playing with his cellphone. JEL can't have a good sleep. The adult watching over him is not stopping him and we don't want to make a bad deal with that.

Pix of JEL's Monthsary here.

4th Day
All of us were able to sleep better in the new room. JEL's pedia came in early. She said that she is better than yesterday but still can't be discharge because her breathing is not yet well. Sad because we will be staying longer in the hospital.

JEL's IV was transferred to her other hand because the liquid is not dropping anymore from the bottle. It was heart breaking hearing JEL crying. Hubby just advised me to just stay in our room. When baby is back, she cried a lot. The hand where the IV was removed seems to hurt so much. It was good that we're able to stop her from crying when we let her see herself in the mirror. She smiled and talked to her image in the mirror. Hubby went out to buy a portable mirror so that we won't need to go the the restroom for her mirror remedy.

5th Day
All Saints Day. Boring day for us. We are just inside our room with no TV. All the private rooms in CGH old building doesn't have one. They only have one in the new building. It's just sad that there was no available room in the building anymore. But it is still a blessing that we brought our laptop in the hospital. JEL was able to watch Yo Gabba Gabba videos that we saved in our Hard Disk.

6th Day
We're discharged. Her pedia came in early and gave us a discharge order. She advised us to give PRED10 for 2 days to complete her 7day steriods at home. We're able advised that from now on, JEL will be needing a maintenance medicine for her asthma (2 inhalers - ventolin and flixotide). She needs a puffing tool called Baby Haler. The procedure needs to be done 3x a day with a minimum interval of 6 to 8 hours. The more she cry the better because she'll be able to inhale the medicines better. We're able to get our of the hospital at 2pm. CGH discharge system is so slow. Btw, since JEL was not able to have her trick or treat, we let her wear her costume on our way back home. She was sleeping throughout the trip. She was happy when we got home and started playing with toys but have noticed that she is not moving her other hand freely. She might have thought that she still have an IV. We're telling her, " JEL, you can move your other hand". Hehehe. Well, it's nice to be back home. Hubby cleaned our room before we slept that night. Thanks also to my mom. We asked her to stay with us to help our yaya with JEL's need until she gets well.

View some of JEL's hospital pix here.

FAST TRACK to Last Saturday - JEL's follow check-up
She is getting better and better. Our pedia is happy to see a 1kg increase in her weight for just 2 weeks. She was admitted @ 7.4kg and she is now @ 8.4kg. She is also now 72cm tall. Our yaya is also telling us that she now have a good appetite. She is now consuming a minimum of 20oz milk/day and eating a saucer full of rice 3x a day. We're happy for her improvement

NOW, we need to get back to Party Planning and Preps.
Below is my checklist.
Venue: DP Paid
Caterer: Pencil Booked
Lootbag items/Prizes: Almost complete. Been to Divi AGAIN last Sunday.
Photog: DP Paid
Venue Decor: Pencil Booked
Cake: Supplier Selected. Need to discuss design and pay DP.
Celebrants Attire: Need to Finalize Designs

Btw, just want to rave about JEL's new tricks and antics at 9months.
1. Stands and Dances w/o support (the longest we've seen is ~15s)
2. Attempts to walk w/o support (The last time we saw her, she was able to make 2 steps inside her crib)
3. Knows how to " Mano" but without holding the hand of the elder yet. Just letting her forehead touch the hand.
4. Makes a kiss w/ and w/o being instructed.
5. Appreciates things and kisses them. When we gave the Doctor kit that we bought from divi, she got excited upon seeing it and kissed it. Last night, my mom brought the books that my sister bought for her. She also kissed them.
6. Claps with sounds.
7. Says mama, dada, dede, mommy, daddy, gaga or baba for yo gabba gabba.
8. Swings her body while dancing.
9. Sings inside the church with the choir.
10. Imitates laugh.
11. Knows how to call someone and asked her/him to come nearer (hand movement).
12. Waives Hi and Bye.
13. Do Hi-5, a-line and aprub!
14. Anticipates a call from mom. Our yaya told me that one time, when I called home and she was sleeping. She woke up when the phone rang and said "mama?".
15. Sings and dances to the song " I have to hands...."
16. Plays with other kids and never cry when things or toys are being taken from her. She loves to SHARE and not "madamot".
17. No more stranger anxiety. No more crying but she still needs some time before she will playing with new faces.
18. Don't cry anymore before we leave in the morning. She is now waiving her hands to us. Btw, we don't say bye to her, we only tell her " See you later".

Well, this list will be longer if I'll list every single details. That's all for now. Just a happy and proud mama.

PS:
I'll tell you a secret. Shhhh. JEL doesn't have a tooth yet. We've been waiting for it for quite some time already. Hahaha.

2009 5th LO - Family

This LO was started few weeks ago and was just waiting for the journal to complete. Wanted to change the title but decided to stick to it. Finally able to complete last night.

Materials:
Mylittleshoebox (PPS, ribbons, frame, diecut), Rubons, Zig Pen, blings, KF brads, Petaloo flower center.

Journaling:
You brought joy and completed this Family! We love you very much!

JEL in Hospital

Sad but true. Hubby brought JEL to the hospital this afternoon due to colds and cough. We thought that she just needs antibiotic just like the previous weeks. But today is different. Pedia wants her to be confined. She is under observation for Pneumonia and was confirmed to have ashma.

Now, I'm here at home and waiting for hubby. I just prepared all the things needed to be brought to the hospital. We hope and pray that she get well the soonest. Need also your prayers. Thanks!

Squeeze Me LO

Here is another LO of JEL.

Materials:
PPS (Colorbox and CC), CC Sticker, Paper Adventure 3D Sticker, Blings and Zig Pen.

Journaling:
Juz by merely looking at you, makes us wanna hug and squeeze you!

Another LO - PEEK A BOO

Another LO that I started last night nad just finished today.

Materials:
PPS (Bo Bunny, WRMK, ATB), Bazzill CS, Flowers (Petaloo, Prima), Alphas (AC and BG), Diamond Glaze, Ranger Glossy Accent, Blings (Kaiser, Prima), Brads, Ribbon, Sticker by CC, Zig Pens, Stamps (HW and LD), Ranger Distress Inks.

Journaling:
This is your favorite game with daddy. he always gets a smile when you're playing but he was not successful at this shot. Nevertheless, I love the your innocence here. you're so CUTE and PRETTY! (TPC Pictorial 081609).

JEL's 1st Fever

I was not able to update this blog for some time because JEL got sick. A day after we got my biopsy result, JEL had a fever. We still went to the office the next day thinking that it will not get worse. However, we got worried when our helper started to text us that JEL's temperature is increasing. When it reached 39C, Hubby and I decided to go home and called her pedia for other instruction that she can give.

JEL looked fine when we got home but we can see that she is weak. Her temperature is also lower. Got to Chinese Gen Hospital after 2 hours. She still doesn't have a fever. Her pedia also can't explain why. She just instructed us to have a CBC of JEL the next day if she'll have any fever within the night. We all thought that she is now better. We even decided to drop by my SIL's house in Cubao for a dinner. She was sleeping on our way back when I started to feel her temp rising. It was good that we have a wet towel to use on her. We're not able to bring her paracetamol. We just asked our helper to buy one when we got in my SIL's house. JEL was still playing with her cousins but every 3 hours, her temp is shooting up. She was also chilling with the A/C and fan "ON". We decided to bring her to the PCDC for the CBC at 10pm. We just waited for the result for almost 2 hours before going home. Reached our home in Cavite at almost 2am. JEL still have fever and her temp is rising an hour before her tempra intake. We texted the CBC result to her pedia at 6am. She prescribed an antibiotic because the CBC showed an infection. The dosage is too much for JEL. It was 5ml 3x a day. It was also kind of mentholated as per the smell. We needed to do 3 drops of it since she is choking if we give her more. We're also instructed to bring her to a baby friendly hospital for a CHEST and PA X-RAY. Thus, we brought her to Asian Hospital at 9am. She was crying inside the x-ray room. We're able to do the chest x-ray lying down. But we really had a hard time for the side view even with hubby's help. Hubby just decided to have the x-ray done while JEL is standing. He was holding JEL's hand and I was holding her feet. She looked super "kawawa" after the procedure. My heart really broke seeing the tears of my baby and the fear in her face. We went home after that and hubby just claimed the result after 5 hours. It was good that the result is negative. At least the suspected primary complex was eliminated. She still had slight fever for 2 days. It was good that September 21 was declared a holiday. We're able spend more time with her and see her development. She got well few days after that.

Right now, I am still worried because she again had cough and colds last week. Ariel brought her pedia last saturday (10/10/09) and she again took an antibiotic. She jsut finished it today and now under observation. Another thing that worries me is small lymph node below her right ear. It was there for almost 3 months already. The pedia just advised us to regularly check it if it will increase. We pray that it is nothing serious.

091609 - 1st day of Fever

091609 - with fever but still crawling.

091909 - Still Sick

092009 - Sick Pa rin

092009 - Sick and still trying to play

2nd LO for 2009 - PROJECT

Been inspired to create a LO last night. It took me a long time to finish this since it's been awhile since I last scrapped. Anyway, I hope that I'll get my mojo back soon. I have a lot of backlogs.

Materials:
MSW PPS, HS Mask, Ranger Distress Ink, TH blending tool, Bazzill CS, Mesh, AC Thickers, KF CS Sticker, HS Blings, KF Rickrack Brad, Ranger Glossy Accent, Zig Pen, FP Transparency, Paper Adventure 3D Sticker, MM Paint, SR Chipboard.

Journaling:
I just love how you project in front of a camera. You're so cute!

Our Ondoy Experience

We also have our share of Typhoon Ondoy. It was not really bad. We're still blessed. We just got stranded in SLEX for almost 5 hours, not able to go home but able to sleep comfortably in a friend's home in Las Pinas. More detailed story here.

Prolonging the Agony

We went to Asian yesterday for my Post Surgery check-up as well as for the Biopsy result. We got there at 2pm but the doctor arrived at past 3pm. She removed the plaster on one of the holes and just replaced the plaster of the other 2 because they are still slightly open. She informed us that the biopsy result is still not available when she checked in Medical City and we're asked to come back on Wednesday.

Waah, can't wait for the result. Can't have peace of mind without knowing it. But I still pray that everything will be fine.

Finally it's Done but with 3 Holes and 5 Stones

Our Sticker Pass to OPD

Finally, it's done. The Mammotome procedure was done on me last Tuesday. My schedule was at 1pm. We got in Medical City 10 minutes before 12 noon. We proceeded to the Breast Clinic but we're asked to go to the HMO clinic first for endorsement. When we got the papers, I got to complete the patients form and was asked to wait inside the clinic. I was called to enter the operating area at 1:40pm. There was a waiting area in the operating room. I was given a hospital gown and asked to change. Hubby also stayed inside the waiting area. I was escorted to the operating room proper at 2pm.

That was the start of one of the longest 2 hours of my life. Upon entering the room, I was asked to lie on the operating table. I was kinda shy seeing a guy inside the room but totally forgot about it when the surgeon started moving. Waah. The 1st thing they did was an ultrasound. I was expecting that they will hang a cover by my face so that I will not see the procedure but they didn't. I was facing the monitor throughout the procedure. All the while, I was thinking that only one mass will be removed but the surgeon did ultrasound on both breast. There were 2 masses in my right and 3 masses in my left. This didn't matched my latest ultrasound which only showed 2 masses on my left. The new mask that was seen has an irregular shape mass. I hope this is nothing serious.

Anyway here is what I have noted during the procedure:

2pm to 2:19
Ultrasound was done by the surgeon. Pictures of the masses where captured and printed.

2:19 - 3:03
The biggest mass was removed. I got 4 shots of anesthesia because I started to feel pain during the last part of the mass removal. Sobrang malalim na yata yung mass. Sobrang ngalay na din ako. I was praying that it will be done soon.

3:03 - 3:07
The surgeon dig a new hole on me for the other mass. Hindi daw kaya with just one hole. The position was far from the 1st one. Another shot of anesthesia inside. It was good that it did not take so long. They were already able to clean and put gauze on my wounds.

3:07 - 3:10
1st shot of anesthesia on my left. Then 2nd shot was done inside. When she starts drilling down. I felt pain. She again gave me another shot of anesthesia. The 1st mass in my left was removed.

3:11 - 3:23
Another shot of anesthesia. Used the same hole to remove the 2nd mass in my left.

3:24 - 3:49
Another shot of anesthesia for the location of the 3rd mass. The surgeon used the same hole.

3:49 - 4pm
Cleaning time and changed hospital gown. The previous gown was already stained with some blood.

During the procedure, I wanted to tell the doctor to stop kasi nangangalay na ako. I was also scared about the pain I'm feeling while the 1st mass was being removed. I am also not prepared for a bilateral mammotome. I thought, only the biggest mass will be removed. It was so tiring. I can still recall the words that I am hearing from the surgeon and the assisting nurses which are POSITION & SAMPLE. Position is when the suction is being stopped to monitor or locate the mass. This is also the time when the surgeon is verifying if all the mass was already removed. SAMPLE means that the surgeon is now ready to get a sample of the mass. This is the removal of the mass - part by part. Whew. The next sound that I'll be hearing similar to a hand dryer. I am also seeing the assisting nurse getting the sample from the suction instrument to the sample container. Each mass has its own container. Another word that I remembered was LIGHT. Lights "ON" for the 1st level anesthsia. Lights "OFF" if it is being injected inside because the surgeon is looking at the sono monitor. I was happy when the lights was permanently turned "ON" because we're already done.

After I changed my gown, I was escorted by the nurse to the waiting room so I can change. After changing, my knees started to shake. I don't know why. I felt cold and weak. But it was gone after some minutes. I was thankful that it was finally over but my hands are totally red. Sobrang nangalay siguro because it was placed under my head while the procedure is being done.

Until now, I am still not sure it I still want this procedure or just the ONE TIME BIG TIME operation which I have before. I was 100% awake during the procedure and it's kinda torture. My eyes were focused on the screen. I don't want to look at the injection and the suction tool. I was counting the minutes and hoping that it will be done soon. Anyway, the agony will not be over until tomorrow. I have a check-up with the surgeon and will also be receiving the Biopsy result. I hope it will be benign.

Another concern I have is the Total of 10 Anesthesia shots that I got. I'm hoping that it will not affect my memory. I don't want another attack of MOMNESIA. Hehe.

MAM - MAM - MAM - MAM & MAM

Before we left the office today, I am already feeling the ants biting me inside. Although it will just be a minor surgery, I am still feeling nervous. Maybe it's because that I've been there already. I can imagine the operating table, the green cloth that will be hang in front me. I will not see what the doctors will be doing but I'll still be hearing their voices. Waaah. Scary.

But I totally forgot this feeling when we got home. Upon seeing me, JEL said, "MAM - MAM - MAM - MAM". We're surprised. It was the 1st time she uttered these words and this is the day before my MAM (mam-motome). Hehehe.

JEL Got Sick for the 1st time

JEL had her monthly pedia check-up last Saturday (August 29). She gained 0.5kg. This is better compared to her gain last month. She is now at 6.7kg and 70cm tall. She had her measles vaccine that day. It's good that she didn't cry that much (less than 3 seconds, hehe).

According to her pedia, she is not on the heavy side but she is healthy. She just had colds twice but for a short period of time only. However, she started to cough last Monday. She was prescribed by Loviscol 3x a day. But her condition didn't improved. She even developed colds. It was just good that she didn't had any fever. We brought her to her pedia yesterday because she started to vomit plegm. Her throat is clear that's why she was only prescribed to take antibiotic for 7 days together with the Loviscol.

Today, she still have both colds and cough. She even vomitted after dinner. But it was expected as per her pedia because of the antibiotic that she's taking. We are just thankful that she is not a crying sick baby. She plays and still very active. We just pray that she'll get well very soon.

New Stuffs for JEL

After my check-up, we went to ATC looking for the Bumbo Play Tray that we need for JEL's Baby Dock Seat. Unfortunately, they still don't have it and they are not sure if they will still have it. We just ended up buying these items for her.

When we got home, we also found out that the TAG-Along Blankie and Block that I ordered from Tinytots already arrived. JEL loved playing with them.

Our JEL is so blessed to have lots of new stuffs on this day. While growing up, we would also like to teach her the value of sharing her blessings to those in need.

Mammotome on September 8

Last Friday (August 28), Hubby & I took a half day off from work in order to have my ultrasound analyzed. The accredited doctor of our HMO doesn't have weekend schedule that's why we are left with no other choice but to leave from work.

The onconologist / breast surgeon told us that based from the pictures, it doesn't exhibit the characteristics or a cancerous cyst. But, we still need to do biopsy due to it's size (2.3cm) and age (more than a year). She suggested to perform "Mammotome" on me. The procedure will be done on the 8th of September (Mama Mary's Birthday) in Medical City.

I am beginning to feel some fear because the doctor already explained to me how this is done. This will be my 2nd operation. The last one was done way back 2003. I just hope and pray that everything will run smoothly and the biopsy result will be benign. Sigh.

Lobulated, Vascular and Appears Taller than Wide.

Masses in the following locations in cm:

PREVIOUS PRESENT
(10/04/08) (08/16/09)
RIGHT
12:00 B 1.73 1.94
2:00 A 0.52 not seen
9:00 B 2.69 2.38
9:30 A not seen 0.44
10:00 B 1.18 not seen
10:00 B 1.06 not seen

LEFT
11:00 Retroareolar 1.17 1.29
2:00 A 0.77 0.63

The mass at the 9:00 B position of the right "B" is still lobulated, vascular and appears taller than wide. No calcifications seen. The rest of the visualized masses are hypoechoic solid, oval, parallel to skinline, circumcribed with abrubt interface and without calcification. etc

CONCLUSION: Slight interval decrease in the size if the lobulated solid mass at the 9:00 B position of the right "B". The rest visualized ,asses demonstrate benign feature.

This is the result of my sonogram last Saturday. I got a little scared because it is still there after almost 15months. See history here. But hubby assures me that it's gonna be alright. I hope and pray that it will really be alright. We still don't know at this time because unfortunately, my previous surgeon/onco is not accrecited anymore with our new HMO. I still need to wait this week to have a checkout with the accredited surgeon/onco of Intellicare in Asian Hospital. We also still need to check if she will be available on Friday since it's a holiday. Anyway, here are some pix of my hubby and baby while we are waiting for my turn in the radiology room.

Chocolatey Birthday

I just turned 33 today and I want to thank the Lord for all the blessings I got for 33 years. There were ups and downs but I was able to make it with His guidance.

I had a simple birthday celebration. A week ago, we ordered chocolate cake and cup cake with topper from Cakefarm. They are one of the famous bakeshop in cavite that we are eyeing for JEL's birthday. I was not able to take a pix of the cupcakes because we are all busy during lunch. Anyway, here is the pix of the cake

We picked this cake from Bacoor Cavite before going to NBC tent. There is an ongoing bazaar there and I asked hubby to buy some matching clothes for the three of us from KATRICEwear who will be having a booth there as a birthday gift. Below is the matching poloshirts that we bought.

We were also able to buy short, blouse and dress for Jel from other participating sellers. I love them all. Actually, we already washed them all and planned to wear them tomorrow. Hehe.

We had lunch in my parents house. My dad cooked some foods for me some. We had buttered shrimp, pork kaldreta and lechon kawali. And just bought pancit from our neighbor. We all had a very yummy lunch that I forgot to take pictures of the food.

The funny part is that all my siblings gave me chocolate goodies.Ditse gave me a Banaple. Gemme gave me an Iko's Choco moist cake and a Cadbury Chocolate bar. Jen and Anna gave me Chocolate brownies.

I've tried all of them. They are all yummy. I just told myself to forget first all the calorie counting for this day? Is that a valid excuse?

Another gift I received today is the homed cooked menudo by my Aunt (Mama Linda). I really love her menudo especially its sauce. Thank you po!

Oh, did I mention that the greatest gift I have for my birthday is our little girl??!!

We had a very tiring yet happy day. Another year was added to my age but it's all worth it! Thanks to all who greeted me by email and text and also those who remembered my special day in their own special way!

I love you all!!!

Absence

I've been MIA in this blog for a long time already. I'm been really really busy. I was not blogging but I am posting pictures on our baby in my multiply site. Please visit me there.

I miss blogging and I wish I can come back soon.

Happy Hearts Day !!!

Happy Hearts Day!!!

Hubby and I didn't have any romantic date today. Actually, we don't celebrate Valentines day on the day itself. However, Hubby bought these flowers for me.

We also had some foods delivered at home for pm snacks and we got this balloon as a freebie.

We had a simple celebration but we had fun. Hubby even cooked dinner for me.

Isn't it sweet?